Mayo County Cathaoirleach discusses priorities with Taoiseach
John O’Hara, recently elected Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, had discussions with Taoiseach Simon Harris at Government buildings last week. Picture: Fergal Phillips
The Fine Gael Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council John O’Hara recently met with the Taoiseach Simon Harris to discuss priorities for the forthcoming five-year term of the local authority.
Cllr O’Hara was among seven Fine Gael councillors serving as chairpersons and Mayors in local authorities who met with the Taoiseach last Thursday evening in Government buildings.
The meeting was also attended by Fine Gael frontbench and junior Ministers.
The heavy level of traffic congestion and the need for traffic relief in Ballina was among the issues Cllr O’Hara brought before the Government leader.
“There are a number of priorities that we hope to address over the coming Local Authority term, first among them is traffic congestion, it can take an hour to get from one side of Ballina town to the other and it is not good in for business locally.”
“We will be pressing for progress on the long awaited Ballina Orbital route to alleviate the problem. The N26 upgrade between Ballina and Swinford is another project that needs to be completed. This is vital to ensure connectivity in the county for residents, businesses and visitors alike.”
He said that there is also a need to make progress on the IDA industrial park in Ballina and the Crossmolina Flood Relief scheme.
“There has been a proposed IDA industrial park in the town of Ballina with planning permission that had been acquired for the site having since expired. My colleagues and I will work with the relevant stakeholders to ensure there is action on this so it will bring significant social and economic benefits to the region.
Cllr O’Hara said the meeting with the Taoiseach was productive and thanked him for his time.
“It was also very positive that we got to engage with senior Fine Gael Ministers and to raise matters relative to their portfolios,” said Cllr O’Hara.
Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “I was delighted to meet with Cllr O’Hara to discuss the work ahead in delivering for communities in Mayo.
“We had positive engagement and our councillors intend to build on the progress made with a with a set of priorities that will guide our work over the next five years."
"These include more ambition on housing, backing small businesses and enterprise, better public services and infrastructure and healthy and sustainable communities."
“I look forward to the work of the Fine Gael team in delivering on the shared ambition we have to improve peoples’ lives,” the Taoiseach said.
